Artothlon, Summer 2009

Introduced to the producers and the poeple who are working on the project at the university today. Nathan wore the radio mask that Justin made this morning.

They decided that Nate had a face for radio so they made one.

They told us that, because of the last minute change of producer, that details were being finalised and that weºre being filmed tomorrow meeting Anna, whoºs coming from Moscow. Then weºll meet the Lithuanian artists who are in the project with us. The first assignmentºs on Saturday.

Renate is our “Mother” who will facilitate for us with the production team. After a post«meeting beer-coffee chat with her, we tried out the catapult with a few things and played the first ever Wiffle Hurling game in Vilnius. Probably.

Itºs one of Tomºs games ‘ he invents them. Sports as art. www.aesthletics.org

We went to the launch of a new show at the CAC, the contemporary arts centre. Itºs a great building ‘ and the shows have loads of space ‘ and the curation is excellent. Lots of Japanese people there for the Big in Japan show.

Hereºs Andreiaª

www.myspace.com/andreiafilipe

Dorm, ten minutes before breakfast.

We went into Uzipis last night, en famille. Uzipis was declared a seperate republic but artists who lived there, in 1997 or so. Here’s their constitution.

Needless to say, there are now developers signs around. As it was ever thus, the world over.

We watched a couple of pagan metal bands in this fantastic little outside venue and stage, right by the Uzipis Kavine (cafe) and the river, which gurgles like something from a fairytale.

Lithuanian rasberry vodka had to be tried, and while it’s a cross between mouthwash and cough medicine, it’s strangely moreish.

Andrea arrived yesterday from Faro in Portugal. She’s in her last year at art school, after taking a year out to work on a nationwide arts project involving artists from all over Portugal. She was one of them.

Here’s Brooklyn Tom. He’s looking for playing fields around Vilnius.

After breakfast we went to a flea market and I got an old 70s soviet bike for 90 litas. As Erro said, it’s built to withstand a nuclear war.

Lithuania’s first female president was inaugurated today and we caught a glimpse of the ceremony – complete with snipers and, apparently, knights in armour.

On our way to Lithuania’s first ever Art Fair, we passed a housing estate that won the Order of Lenin in the 70s for excellence is design. Everything is reachable within 15 minutes from anywhere in the suburb. Right by the gorgeous forest and just as gorgeou TV Tower. . Paulius grew up there and told us that the flats were given to rural people to encourage them into the countryside. And when the Olympics went to Moscow, alcoholics and neer-do-wells were re-located to another estate around Vilnius. Thanks Moscow.

Interesting chat with Nate on the way up the stairs on the business of Art Fairs. He pointed out that while they’re obviously about galleries selling stuff, they can also be quite supportive to young artists, offering residencies and funding, allowing more interesting stuff to be made.

Nate thinks art should be funded much more. I said I didn’t think I agreed with that, since with funding, you’ve got to dance to someone else’s agenda.

He countered that that’s always going to be the case, and that good artists can negotiate that and make something interesting out of that negotiation. Point taken.

Vilnius Academy of Arts Dormitory:
2.45pm, local time

It rains a lot in Vilnius in the summer, and that’s exactly what it’s doing now. After breakfast at 11am in the dungeon-like restaurant who have the contract to feed us we’re wondering how we’ll manage it for seven weeks – soup, curd cheese pancakes and sour cream were delicious, but a bit heavy when all you want is tea and toast.

After making our way back to the dormitory, I think it’s quiet, post-travelling time. Who’s us? Next to me on his own laptop, non-wi-fi, like mine, is Pavel, German, Berlin-trained, currently living in the Czech Republic. Lovely chap, smokes like a loon, painter.

On the sofa to my right, reading about static electronics is Justin: he makes moving things and seem, so far, to be able to make and repair anything. Working in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from Florida, just spent five days in Glasgow. He brought many tool bits with him.

Erro lives and teaches in Tallin in Estonia, comes from New York, performance artist. He brought two ancient cats with him from NYC to Estonia. That’s committment.

Nathan and Tom, who’s from Brooklyn but napping (I can’t for the life of me find him online) applied together, having collaborated before.

A girl from Portugal is coming today, another from Moscow is set to arrive as soon as her visa is sorted and that completes the “foreign” contingent.

The Lithuanian artists will all be here by Tuesday and that’s when we start filming.

While I’m pretty sure I’m the eldest in years, I think I’m the youngest in training – which is a fantastic place to be – learning from everyone else.

After being picked up from the airport by the lovely Paulius, who waved a banana for recognition, we ate and then went on to a party in Vilnius’ new loft area – ex-factory spaces which, having been squatted in the past, are now being bought up by architects and the like, with artist studios and loft living spaces. It felt like many parties in Hackney, Shoreditch or Deptford, but much fresher, loads grimier and with way, way more charge and energy. <p>

Artists playing music is often not good, and it wasn’t, but the place was packed and the beer was cheap – equivalent to around £1.20 a sizeable bottle of beer.

We didn’t last long beyond one in the morning (knackered) but apparently the cops turned up around four, to shut the joint down.

I took some pics, video and recorded some sound with my phone, but of course, this laptop isn’t, as Justin pointed out, bluetooth enabled. I won’t go anywhere without my camera again.

Tried to find it online for a link and a pic, but other than the fact that it involved a very rickety warehouse lift, I’ve not got much to go on.

Now off to see a man about a bike.

My studiomate Lawrence is driving me to Gatwick in the morning, so today is my last chance to unpack and re-pack my suitcase and carry on luggage again.

The problem is, I’m wondering if I should take another reel of reflective tape and my battery operated laser (as well as the two I’m taking with me that have been adapted to mains-only?)

And I need to lose weight, not add more…

Read my two guidebooks alread, including one on customs and etiquette and scoured the internet.

Claire pointed out last night that it’s important to go with an open mind and no preconceptions. She’s right, of course, so today I’m going to knock research on the head and cycle over to the Richard Long retrospective and Classified at the Tate.

And then to the Hannah Barry Gallery in Peckham for a short while this evening, to say Cheerio to Peckham – after cooking something nice for the boys…

Flnally got the flight details, but not before a panicky email and phone call to Vilnius. Damn luggage restrictions mean having to decide between, say graphite powder or knickers… (the graphite powder won).

It’s as exciting as can be – though I can’t quite get my head around leaving my two 17 year olds in the house for seven weeks. A long list of poeple are on alert to watch out for For Sale signs, fire, or the arrival of any large sound systems…

Details from Vilnius are as follows, cut and pasted. Not thrilled about the copyright issue and I wasn’t aware that there was cash involved for work made – but I’ll know more when I get there.

Contract is still being negotiated with TV, but the main points are these:

1. The sum of money for the artworks will be revealed each week, and may vary depending on your performance.
2. You will get food two times a day, and dormitory is free. Transportation in connection with Art-o-thlon activities is covered, if you are keen on exploring Vilnius or Lithuania, you should bring some more money. As well money for any other personal expenses.
3. Internet is provided to your dormitory rooms.
4. All action should take place in Vilnius, with a few possible exeptions.
5. Bring your towel and bedding (if possible).
6. Please bring your own instruments for creating art (cameras, laptops, any specials tools you use).

The maps, attached, have significant spots on them, but I’ve no idea what they represent…

An hour, now to relax and begin the book on Lithuanian customs and etiquette that I picked up yesterday in Stanfords map shop. Their site acknowledges both Vilnius and Linz as 2009 European Capitals of Culture. Yay!